Alcohol Abuse
Alcohol use can affect a fetus in many ways. According to the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Center for Excellence, it is estimated that over 40,000 babies are born in the United States each year with some type of disorder that is attributed to alcohol use by the mother during gestation. Alcohol can both disrupt cell development and trigger cell death in the fetus, causing parts of the fetus to develop abnormally and disrupting the way nerve cells function in the brain and other organs. Alcohol also constricts the maternal blood vessels, lowering the amount of oxygen and nutrients delivered to the fetus. The result is termed "fetal alcohol syndrome disorder" which is an umbrella term used to cover any combination of birth disorders attributed to alcohol abuse by the mother.
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder
Because of alcohol use or abuse by the mother and the resulting nerve and or cell damage to the fetus, a baby may born with several or all of the symptoms of fetal alcohol syndrome disorder. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism states that babies may have lowered birth weights; exhibit problems hearing, seeing, sleeping and eating; may have problems learning in school such as paying attention, learning to do simple tasks and following directions; have behavior control and social problems; and need special education and or medical attention throughout their lives.
Drug Abuse
While there are few long-term studies on the fetal effects of maternal drug abuse, the March of Dimes states that marijuana use can cause slower fetal growth rates, resulting in lowered birth weight. Marijuana may also cause withdrawal symptoms in the newborn infant.
Amphetamines such as methamphetamine and ecstasy may cause an increase in congenital heart defects in the fetus, as well as a condition called clubfoot. Fetuses also display poor growth rate, lower than normal head circumference, cleft palates and other birth defects; withdrawal symptoms at birth also occur.
Cocaine use raises the risk of miscarriage in the first trimester of pregnancy, as well as lowered growth rate, higher risk of pre-term labor and premature births. Cocaine-exposed fetuses have smaller heads at birth and have higher incidences of fetal stroke and possibly urinary tract birth defects. Other birth defects are suspected to be caused by maternal cocaine use, but long-term studies have not been completed
Mother's Lifestyle
Alcohol and drug use by a pregnant woman can often cause changes in lifestyle; poor health choices such as lack of good nutrition and prenatal care may play a role in the higher incidences of fetal birth defects among drug and alcohol users. Other unhealthy behavior patterns such as having unprotected sex during pregnancy expose the fetus to other risks such as sexually transmitted diseases, making it more difficult for researchers to pinpoint the exact cause of problems in the developing fetus.
